Apparatus for controlling electric circuits



Oct. 21, 1941. F. G. LOGAN 4 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed June 28, 1939 4 sheets sheet 1' INVENTOR flaw/r6. 10.4w

ATTORNEY Oct. 21,1941. F. G. LOGAN 2,260,146

v APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed June 28, 1959 4 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ffil /v/rloaw BY v A45! F. G. LOGAN Oct-21, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUiTS Filed June 28, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J) ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS F. G. LOGAN 2,260.146

Filed June 28, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet --1 w. n m x m m b S B 8' 6 Q a nm w INVENTOR fm/v/rf anew M ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Frank G. Logan, Mount Vernon, N. Y., assignor to Ward Leonard Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 28, 1939, Serial No. 281,533

36 Claims. (01. 74-1) I tacts on the control board. This simplicity of This invention relates particularly to the control of lighting circuits especially adapted for use in theatres and the like and for spectacular productions and illuminations wherein the scenes and lighting efiects are changed in a sequential manner, or otherwise varied to suit particular requirements. The invention is applicable also to other purposes where it is desired to affect a plurality of electric circuits in various ways and in various combinations, selectable at will.

In prior apparatus and methods of control, the various circuits have been capable of individual electrical adjustment and the circuits have been jointly and variously controlled by superimposing regulation on the circuits by auxiliary electric means of various forms, including regulatory rheostats, combining the circuits in various ways and in various relations to each other, and by the use of switches, relays, contactors and various forms of electrically responsive devices. This has required the use, not only of many electrical devices of different kinds and of different capacities to fulfill the requirements where a large number of circuits are to be variably controlled, but also a multitude of circuits and great complexity of connections. It has resulted that when such a system is installed at the place of use, the making of the connections between the control board and the lighting circuits requires a large amount of time involving large expense and the work must be carefully done in order to insure proper operation in the manner intended.

An important general object of the present invention is to greatly reduce and simplify the electrical equipment required and to greatly reduce and simplify the wiring and number of required circuit connections. This is accomplished by avoiding all joint electrical regulation or control of the lighting circuits and by avoiding their interconnections, or the superimposing of one regulation upon another and by omitting the necessary apparatus required for such joint regulation and interrelationship of the circuits. By the present invention each circuit is individually and separately controlled and isolated insofar as any other circuit is concerned and there is no joint regulation or interrelationship of one circuit upon another. This greatly simplifies the amount of labor required where the control board and apparatus are installed, greatly reduces and simplifies the number of wires and circuit connections required and thus greatly reduces the cost of installation. By the present invention it is necessary only to connect a pair of Wires controlling each lighting circuit to a pair of conconnections has the further advantage of reducmg errors in connections and ease of segregating and locating faults whenever they occur.

The foregoing is accomplished by providing mechanical means for individually moving the control means of each individual circuit; and this mechanical means is arranged to actuate the control means of each circuit and to permit the desired character of control in various combinations and relationships by the interrelationship of mechanical parts. In this way the control of each circuit is entirely independent of the control of any other circuit and acts separately, as tdistinguished from any common, or joint, regulaion.

Another object is to provide simple mechanical means for predetermining selected mechanical positions of the individual circuit controllers which will be available at will and in any sequence, Without the introduction of modifying electrical influences upon the circuit controllers. And a further object is to permit adjustment of the mechanical means so that any desired intensity of thelighting effect in any circuit for any scene may be obtained in any sequence, ranging from full intensity to complete blackou Another object is to provide mechanical means for actuating the control of the individual circuits so that a gradual change of lighting effect may be obtained from any existing condition to a desired condition; and that in passing from one scene to the next, the lighting effect of one scene may be changed gradually to the lighting effect of the next scene according to the set-up of the handles which determine the final positions of the individual controls. A further object is to obtain this gradual change in decrease or increase of lighting effect by a translation from the existing scene to the next scene in a manner such that the change commences at the same time in all circuits of the scene from their existing condition, whether full-bright, 40% or 20% bright or other intensities, and continues the change until they are all gradually brought to the changed intensity at the same time. This gradual translation, or so-called fading, is accomplished by this present invention in a simple manner by the mechanical shifting of the individual control of each circuit affected, the set-up of the mechanical means for each circuit having determined the desired change of control of each circuit and whether or not any particular circuits shall be afiected.

Another object is to provide means for permitting independent control of any one or more of the lighting circuits and without disturbing the existing set-ups for the various circuits.

the circuits, separately from the'shifting fader;

control, from their existing condition of inten-,

sities to black-out, or to a partial dimming, and return, if desired, to their initial condition; and to accomplish this mechanically by affecting all selected circuits simultaneously from their existing conditions by. a gradual change in each ciraffecting an individual circuit controlled thereby. This is adapted to stand vertically and the set-up handles at the right-hand side project through the front part of the control board which may be made up of a number of such panels positioned side by side. These individual panels are narrow in width 50 that a large number of them may be assembled side by side and occupy a compara-' tively small amount of space. Any desired number of such individual panels may be assembled and usually will correspond in number to the number of individual circuits to be controlled. In some cases there may be only a few such .panels and circuits While in other cases there may be required fifty or more depending upon the requirements of the particular installation.

The parts for affecting the circuit individually are shown in Fig. 1 mounted on and supported cuit to another condition. This may be termed master control and is readily accomplished by thisinvention by, mechanical actuation of the individual control of each selected circuit, as distinguished from .any common regulation of the circuits. Theselection of the circuits aifected by the master is obtained by mechanical enabling and disabling means individual to each circuit and Without relation to any other circuit. Another object is to provide mechanical means whereby the masters may be operated selectively by a grand mastersimultaneously and gradually from their existing condition to another condition. Y

. Another'objectisto provide mechanical means related to thecontrol of each circuit which shall occupy ,small' space laterally and be in the form of a comparatively thin panel with the set-up handles and certain other cooperating parts at the front edge of the panel. .This isfor the purpose-of enabling' ,any desired number of such panels-to bestacked side by. side andoccupy small space, the number of such panels being dependent upon the number of circuits that are to be included in the complete assembly. A further object is to so relate the parts that the addition of such panels provides for permitting mas:- tering and fading by merely extending the operating means therefor according to the desired number of circuits. Other general objects are to provide a simple and rugged form of construc'-' tion, dependable in long continued use and adapted for convenient inspection and repair. Other objects are to provide ,means whereby special controlling effects may be obtained bymanipulation ofthepart s, such as cross control, so-called pile-on and other methods of control for particular purposes. Othe'r objects and advantages will be understood from the following description andaccompanying drawings.

r .Fig. 1 is a side View, in section on line |-,-'l of Fig. 11. of one of the control panels for the control of one individual circuit; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a portion of Fig. 1 with certain of the parts in a different position; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on theline -33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 1; Figs. 7 and8 are illustrative diagrams of connections of the individually controlled circuits; Fig. '9 is a side of the master mechanism being a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 11; Fig. 1:0 is avertical section on the line Hi-40 of Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a front view on a reduced scale of a control board. g

Fig. 1 represents a formof control panel for by a thin sheet I of suitable material such as sheet-steel. The front portion of this sheet is bent at right angles to form the front to of the panel- These panels are suitably secured to a I supporting frame. At the upper right-hand portion of the supporting plate are pivotally mounteed three disks 2 in vertical relationship having handles 3a, 317 and 30 which extend outwardly, as well as portions of the disks, beyond the front portion of the panel. These handles may be swung upwardly and downwardly and adjusted to any desired position and form the set-ups for the control of the circuit affected by this panel. Any desired number of such set-ups may be'used, even up to ten or more depending on the number of scenes desired; and ordinarily the greater the total number of circuits controlled the greater will be the number of set-ups desired for each circuit. In the present instance only three such set-ups per panel are shown as the principle and mode ofv operation are the same for any additional number. I

Below the three set-ups are shown an addi tional disk 4, a knob 5 and a shaft f. The disk 4 projects somewhat beyond the front edge of the plate and is providedwith an operating handle lav on the front edge. The shaft 6 having the cam 6a is for transferring when shifting from thesetup of one scene to the next. The knob 5 and its rod 5a are for disabling all of the set-ups and enabling the independent handle 4a to affect the controller. The disk above the knob and its handl-e 4a are the independent means for operating the controller without disturbing the set-ups of this panel and without disturbing any other panel or other set-up. In case any additional number of set-ups over the 3b were dc sired; they would be introduced between the disks controlled by handles 3c and 4a. I

Each panel is provided with individually ad justable means for independentlyand solely controlling its' respective circuit. In this instance,

there is shown for this purpose a rheostat having an adjustable element, although any suitable form of variable device might be used, such as a variable inductor, variable capacitor, or any other form of device for adjusting or varying the circuit constants. The rheostat shown is in the form of a tubular resistor 1 comprising a number of insulated turns of resistive wire having terminals 'la. These terminals are connected to the circuit to be controlled by this panel. The resistive unit 1 has the outer portion of the insulati'on removed from the turns of the resistive conductor along a narrow path so as to provide an exposed contact surface lb of the adjoining turns of the conductor. This surface is engaged I by the rear edge of a bow-shaped or a wide open V-shaped conductor 'Ic having the apex of the bow at the middle of the resistive unit. In the position shown in Fig. 1 this bow-shaped conductor or contactor is engaging at its apex the middle of the resistive conductor and it follows that this position, all of the resistive unit is in circuit between its terminals. When the contactor 1c is moved to the left, or inwardly, the apex of the bow passes out of engagement with the middle of the resistive unit and contact is made by the bow at intermediate points of the conductor. This results in placing the end portions of the resistive conductor in series with the external circuit while the central portion of the resistive unit is short-circuited between the intermediate contacting portions of the bow, Further movement of this bow to the left results inincreased portions of the resistive unit being short-circuited by the bow; and when the ends of the bow engage the end portions of the unit, all of the unit is short-circuited. It follows that the adjustment of the bow, or contact bar, by the actuating devices will determine the amount of resistance inserted or excluded from the control circuit and thereby determine the resultant lighting effect.

As regards the circuit controlled, the resistive unit I may be connected in series with the lamps of the lighting circuit giving a direct control of the consumption circuit where the lamp load is light. But for most purposes the lamp load is sufficiently great to require auxiliary controlling means, such as a reactor with a variable current controlling winding. Fig. '7 is a diagram showing direct control of the lighting circuit by the resistive unit I and the adjustable bar lc being in series with the lighting circuit 8 between the supply lines from a source 9. Fig. 8 shows a simple form of control wherein the voltage applied to the lamp circuit 8 is controlled by a three-legged reactor I having windings Ifla on the outer legs connected in series with each other and with the lamp circuit between the supply lines; and wherein a direct current control winding lllb is applied to the middle leg of the reactor and supplied with current from any suitable source indicated as a battery I I through the adjustable resistance I controlled by the bar 1c. The particular apparatus for affecting the lighting circuit forms no part of the present invention as various forms and types of apparatus may be used for this purpose, it merely being necessary for the purpose of the control to provide some means for varying the circuit constants in its controlled circuit by each of the panels of the present invention. Likewise the particular form of resistive element and adjustable contact bar shown in Fig. 1 may be replaced by some other form of adjustable device for affecting the circuit constants in the individually controlled circuit of each panel. The particular form of adjustable resistive device here shown and various applications thereof are disclosed and claimed in my pending application Serial No. 251,468, filed January 18, 1939.

The means for adjusting the resistive device is shown in Figs. 1 to 6. The resistive device is carried on a vertically slidable plate I2 which is supported by two guidev pins I2a fixed to the plate I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A spring I2c fixed at one end to the plate I2 and at the other end to the plate I, pulls the plate I2 downwardly against the cam Ed on the shaft 6. As.

the cam and shaft are turned to the left or returned to the position shown, the plate I2 will slide down or up accordingly. The plate I2 carries two brackets I2d whi h, with a screw and nut, support the ends of the resistor I. The plate also carries two guide brackets I2e in which slides the strip I3 in a forward and backward move- These wires exert a spring tension tending to hold the contact bar in good electrical contact with the resistor. A spring I6 is fastened to the plate I2 at I611 and extends upwardly and presses against the post I4, thus tending to move the slider I3 and parts carried thereby rearwardly.

A transfer bar, or guide, 1''! is movably sup: ported at its ends in slotted brackets IIa which are fixed to the plate I. The transfer bar is in the movable forwardly and back wardly brackets and has projecting end portions IIb outside of the brackets which retain its ends in the brackets. The spring I6, by pressing the slider I3 inwardly, maintains the head I31; in engagement with the transfer bar. When the shaft 6 is turned counter-clockwise, its cam 6a will allow the plate I2 to move downwardly under the pull of the spring I20, and as the lower end of the transfer bar or guide I! is shown further to the left in Fig. 1 than the upper end, the spring It will move the slider I3 andhead I311 to the left as it moves down the bar. This will cause the contact bar kc to decrease the amount of resistance in the circuit. Thus the adjusted position of the transfer bar will determine the amount of resistance in circuit and its inclination will determine the change of resistance as the head I3a is shifted along the bar from one position to another. Moreover this change is a gradual one asthe head I3a moves in either direction along the bar. I

The position of the transfer bar fixed to the plate I. The slider I8 is mounted in the upper end of the block at its middle portion while the slider I9 is mounted in its lower end at its inner portion, as shown in Fig. 3. The slider I8 carries a head I8a at its front end which projects toward the plate I into the path of the transfer bar I! and serves to adjust the position of the upper end of the bar. The slider I9 care ries a head I9a at its front end which projects away from the plate I into the path of the bar.

I! and serves toadjust the position of the lower end'of the bar. The rear ends of the sliders I8 and I9 are pivotally connected respectively to tail pieces 2|, 22. The piece 2I carries a pin 2Ia which projects into the path of adjusting levers to be described later. The'piece 22 carries a pin 22a which projects into the path of other adjusting levers. A vertically slidable plate 23 serves to guide these tail pieces and to shift them when desired. This plate is mounted on the ends of posts 23a fixed to the plate I and is slotted to permit vertical movement on the ends of the posts, as well shown in Fig. 4. A pin 23b projects from the plate 23 towards the plate I and engages a slot 2 lb in the tail piece 2| to guide it.

A pin 23c similarly projects from the plate 23 towards the plate I and engages a slot 22b in the tail piece 22 to guide it. The slidable plate 23 isoperated by a lever 24 pivoted at its elbow to the plate I. A pin 24a at one end of the lever pro An insulating post I4 is:

n is adjusted by two movable elements I8 and I9 which are. slidably mounted in openings through a block 20 j'ects into a slot 2 311 in the-upper'end' of the plate" 2'3 Theother end of the lever is pivetally' connectedto-the innerendof the red 5a. The front end of this red has notches won its lower side or edge adapted to engage the edge of the Offset portionof the panel la and thereby hold it in either of' two fixed positions. Whenthe knob 5 and its rod is-pushed' inwardly and so held by its outer notch, the-lever 2'4 holds tnepmte' 2 3 in itslower position as shownin'Figi- 1 'Ihe-tail pieces- 2-1 and 2 2 are then held in line with their slid'ers- I"8 and [-9 respectively and are then subject toadjustment by the aforementioned levers. When the knob 5- andits r'od ispull'ed outwardly and held by its inner notch,- the lever 24 raises the plate 2 3" to the position shown in Fig. 2 The tail pieces H and 22- are' thenheld' out of line with their sliders, as shown in Fig. 2', and are. then'no-t subject to adjustment by the levers for" a purpose later explained.

' Another means is provided for independent adjustment of the'transf'er bar ll. This comprises another slider 25 which passes through the mid-' dle outer portionaof the block 29 and'is guided thereby, as well showninFig; 3. The front end of this slider is bent towardsthe-plate ll forming a portion ZBa extending towards the plate, as" particularly shown'in-Figs; 3 and 5; and has projections a so extendihg upwardlyand downwardly so as to-come opposite the rear of theheads I821. and [9d of the sliders I 8 and I9; The slider 25' ha's-atai-l piece-26 pivoted" to-its inner end. This ta-iL piece has a pin 26a at its inner end projecting' away fromthe-plate I which is adapted to b'e engaged; by an adjusting lever tobe described.

later.- The tailpiece is slotted at 26b to receive aguiding pin 23a fixed tothe plate 23 and ex-- tending away from the plate l. -When the plate 23 is inthepositi'on sho'wn in Fig. 1 the tail piece; 264s out of line with: its slider and cannotbe adjusted by its lever; but when the plate 2-3 is inthe'position shown in Fig. 2, the tailpiece 26 isin lin'ewith its slider and canthen be adjusted by its lever-. When the parts are in the position shown: in Fig; 2 and the tail pieces 21 and 22 are not subject to adjustment by their levers, the spring I 6 forces the sliding. strip l3 to the left: as shown in Fig. 2 because the sliders 1'8 and H! are not then: subject to adjustment by their levers and this results in the transfer bar. I 1: and sliders I 8: and W being moved to the position shown in Fig.

2.- This brings the heads I8a and [9a of their slidersagainstthe extensions 2% of the slider 25; andithi's' causesthe contactlbar 1c tosbe moved to the. resistance-all-out" position. Under these conditions, it isevident that when the slider 25: is'adjustedit will move the sliders l8 and Hand 1 transfer bar I! and head 53a of the. sliding strip I13; to. any desired adjusted position and thereby. afi'ord an independent means-for adjustment of the'contact bar, regardless of the position of the head. l3a onany part of the transfer bar.

The meansfor adjusting-'thesliders t8. and I9 to their proper positions as required by the different-scenes is accomplished by the set-up handles, three: of which. are shown as already. explained. Each of the set-up disks 2 is provided on its side with an eccentric or cam Tl.- A movable element orcam follower 28' engages each of th'ecams'fl" at the upper end of the element and is pivotally' mounted at its lower end on a pin 28a which is fixed to the plate I; A small coiled spring 285 is located at the side ofeach element 28 and hasone endfix'ed to the pin- 28a andthe other end m engagement with a pin 28c located on the-up-- of the tail piece 22.

' bar or'p'ushrod 29? The rear ends of these rods or strips are slotted and engaged by pins 29a on post Eli-fixed to the plate l serving as guides for the re'arendsof the push rods 29. The front ends of these rods are guided between a pair of metal strips 30-, the ends of which are supported by theplate I. lower ends to each ofthe rods Z-9respectively and are connectedatthei'r upper ends to pins fixedtothe plate I, thereby tending to maintam the;

forward ends of the rods 29 in their uppermost permissible positions against pins 38d fixedto the strips 30 'In their upper position they are engagement with the upper ends of the pivoted elements 2-8'.' When any one of the set-up handles is adjusted; it"will correspondingly adjust element 2'8'and push rod 29, causing the latter to b'e-moved-more or less to the rear.

The adjustment of the set-up handles adjusts" the sliders 1- 8 and [9- through movement of the push rods 29 and through pivoted levers respectivel'y related toeach push rod. Consider first the upper pushrod' 29. The inner end of thisrod is pivotally connected by a pin 290 to a pair of metal strips 32, 32w spaced from each other which 1 form the levers for engagement with the pins ZfIa-and 22c, asmore particularly shown in Fig. 6. TheleverilZ extendsto and is adapted to engage the pin z m of the tail piece 2|. extends'to and is adapted to engage the pin 22a I The lever 32 is pivotally" mounted at about its middle portion on'a for wardly extending plate $53 having a rounded'front' end; asshowniri Fig. 1". The lever 32 has secured at its-opposite-sides plates 3212 which" extendrear wardly and embrace theopposite sides of the plate 3'6; Similarly the lever 32a is pivotally mounted a t-about its mid-point onanother plate 33a. The plate 3 3 is carried by the forward end' of a pin 34*- which forms a'plunger'within a block 35 fixed to the plate I. The rear end of the pin 34' is engaged by acam .36 which is fixed to a rotatable shaft 3% When this shaft is turned to causethe cam 36 to force theplunger 34 to'its' extreme forward-position, a'sshown iii-Fig. 1, the plate 33 isrendered eifective as the pivot of thelever 32-:

Similarly the plate 33a is supported by the pin 34d which forms a plunger within the block 35; The rear end of this plunger is engaged by a cam 36a similar to the cam 36' andis mounted upona' rotatable shaft 31a. In the position shown in Fig. 1, this shaft is turned so that'the cam 361i permits-its plunger 34a to move to its rear position and consequently the plate 33a is rendered inefiective as a pivot for the lever 32a. Conse-' quently in the position shownin the drawings; the set-up handle so is capable of adjusting theslider lBthrough the lever 32 to-an'y position desired but has no effect upon adjustment of the slider I'9' because the pivot sea of lever 32a is disabled and therefore movement of the lever turned so as to render the plate 33'a efiectiv'e as a pivot, then the reverse condition'is set up making the lever 32a eiiect'ive in adjustment of the slider l9 and rendering the lever 32 inefiec tive as toadjustment of the slider it upon turnthe set-up handle 3a. The purpose of this inter-change will beexplainedlater-.-

Springs 31 are connected at their" The lever 32a" The control of thesliders I8 and I9 by set-up handle 3b will now be explained. The construction is smear to that already explained with reference to the upper set-up. The push rod 29 adjusted by set-up handle 31) is pivotally connected at its inner end to pin 29d connected between a pair of spaced levers 38, 38a which are; located between the levers 32, 32a as shown in Fig. 6. The lever 3'8 is mounted on a pivot plate 33b and the lever 38a is mounted on a pivot plate 330 in a manner similar to that described with reference to the levers 32 and 32a. The plates 33?), 330 are respectively mounted on pins 34b, 34c and actuated by cams 36b, 36c mounted onshafts 31b and 310. The lever 38 extends to and isadapted to engage the pin 21a of the tail piece 2|, as shown in Fig. 6, and the lever 38a extends to and is adapted to engage the pin 22a of the tail piece 2|. When the cam 360 is turned b'y'its shaft to move its plunger 34c forwardly as shown in Fig; 1, the plate 330 is rendered effective as a pivot for the lever 38a and thereby enables adjustment of the set-up handle 3b to be effective in adjusting the position of the slider l9. At such times the cam 36b is turned so that its pivot plate 336 is rendered ineffective thereby rendering the lever 38 ineffective in adjusting the position of the slider l8. When the position of the cams 36b, 3% are reversed, the pivot plate 33b'bejcomes effective while the plate 330 becomes ineffective and thereby enables the lever 38 to adjust the position of a slider l8 while the lever 38!; is rendered ineffective in adjusting the position of the slider l9.

Similarly the push rod 29 which is actuated by the set-up handle 3c is connected at its rear end to a pin 29c between a pair of spaced levers 39, 39a whichare mounted on pivot plates 33d and see. The lever 39 extends to and is adapted to engage the pin 2|a of the tail piece 2| and the lever 39a extends to and is adapted to enga'gethe pin 22a of the tail piece 22. Likewise the pivot plates 33d and 33a are respectively adjusted through their plungers 34d, 34c by cams 36d and 36e mounted on shafts 31d and 31e.- These cams render the pivot plates 33d, 33c effective or ineffective according to the position in which the cams are turned in the manner already explained. Any additional number, of setups and levers and pivotal supports may be utilized, if desired, by additions of the character already described.

Thelrnethod of making set-ups and the actuation of the resistance contact bar for the control of the individual circuit affected by the one panel thus far described and the passing from one scene to another will now be described. Assurne that the circuit controlled by the resistor unit of this panel in scene I is to be dark or at black-out; in scene 2 it is to be half-bright; and in scene 3 also to be half-bright. The set-up handle 3a will be moved to its lowest position and set-up handles 3b and 30 will be moved to about half-way positions, as shown in Fig. 1. The cam shafts 31 and Bio are adjusted to make the pivot plates 33 and 330 effective, as-shown in Fig; 1. This causes the lever 32 to adjust the slider l8 and head El a and upper end of the transfer bar I! to their extreme forward positions, as shown in Fig. 1. This forces the sliding strip l3 and contact bar 70 to their extreme positions and causes all of the resistance to be included in the controlled circuit giving no illumination for the existing scene I. The making set-up'handle 3b" actuatinglever 38a to adjust the slider l9 and head l9a and lower end of the transfer bar to a half-way position, as shown in Fig. 1. 'Ihisadjus'tment has no effect on the existing scene I because the sliding strip I3 is not opposite the head lea andthuscauses no movement of the contactbar 10. The head 19a has, however, adjusted the lower end of the transfer bar (I to a position to give a half-bright condi-' tion in the circuit when'shifting from scene I to scene 2. When the time for this change arrives,

the operator turns the transfer shaft 6 and cam 6a counter clockwise. This causes the plate l2 and parts carried thereby to move downwardly from the position' shown Fig. 1. The head I3'a then travels albng the guide or transfer bar I! being forced against it by the spring I6. Thus there is a gradual transition from the" all-resistanCe-in Condition of Fig. 1 to a half-bright condition of the lighting circuit because when the head [3a is opposite the head l9a, the contact. bar 1c has been br o'ught to a position to include abeut half of the resistance in the controlled circuit. And during the'travel of the head 13a alon'gthe 'transferbar, the change hasb'een accomplished by proportionar increments movement of the head l3aan'd contact bar la" in the direction of the contactadjustrnenabecause the transfer bar forms a straight line from the adjusted head Isa to the adjusted head Illa. This direct proportional m vement enables the designerto base the constants of the controlled circuits andparts on such proportional movemerit of transfer; and these constantswill affeet the result obtaine'd'jin the lighting circuit' upon proportional movement of the adjustable element. For example, the size of wire or spacing'of th'e' turns in different portions of the. re-

sistiveiconductor controlled by the"adjustab-le" contact par Tc may be varied to secure a desired change in lighting intensity'based ona' proportidnal change of movement of the adjustable element. It is obvious that therat'e of change in passing from scene I to scene Zwill depend upon how quickly or how slowly the'transfer shaft 6 is turned and this may bevaried to suit the desired timing of the transition.

Having now passed from scene l to scene 2', the

v pivot plate 33 may be made ineffective which removes any effect of set-"up handle 3a on the slider l8. This permits this handle t6 be ad-' justed to the condition required v for scene 4. Pivot plate 33d is nowmade effective by turning shaft3'ld and cam 36d. This causes lever 39" to adjust slider l8 and head lBa to a position corresponding to the adjustment of set-up handle 30 which was assumed to be set to give ahalf-bright illumination for'scene 3, the same as for scene 2. This results in the transfer bar llj'being adjusted to avertical position at abouthalfaway between extreme positions. Whenthe shift is made from scene 2 to scene 3"by turning the transfer shaft clockwise, theh'eadl3a, will move up along the then vertically positioned transfer bar and no change will be made in the controlled circuit. This permits pivot plate 33c to'b'e made ineffective and releases handle 31) to be set as desired for another scene. 'Being now on scene 3 with a half-bright condition of the circuit, it may be assumed that handle 3a has been set for scene 4, say at full-bright. Pivot plate 33a is then made effective by turning shaft 31a and cam 36d. This permits slider l9 and head lea totake the inner limiting position and causes the transof the plate 33c effective as a pivot results in the fer bar to incline from a half-bright position of scene v4.

f lever effective.

scene 3 to the left for a full-bright position of scene 4, The shift from scene 3 to scene 4 is made by turning transfer shaftfi counter-clockwise, permitting the head I30. to travel down the transfer bar and gradually move inwardly to the alleresistanceeout and -full bright position for The apparatus thus-affords means for making the set-ups for successive scenes and as each scene is completed, the set-up for that scene is released for a set-up for another scene. Also in passing from one scene to the next, the change may be made from the existing'scene controlled by any one set-up handle to a scene controlled by any other set-up handle in any order desired by merely making effective the adjustment of the end of the transfer bar which is not then affecting an existing scene to accord with'the adjustment of the set-up handle for the next scene. In

this adjustment of the end of the transfer bar which is to determine the next scene, the oper-' ator makes effective that lever which actuates the slider acting on that end of the transfer bar. That is, as, already explained, each set-uphandle moves two levers, one of which is utilized for adlusting the. slider aifecting one end of the transfer bar and the other of which is used for adjusting' the slideraflecting the other end of the bar. The actual adjustment of the desired slider is accomplished by making effective the lever, which actuates that slider. For example, if in the existing scene the resistive unit is in the upper posicuit affected by this panel, the parts assuming positions and being operated as previously de-e scribed. This facility for securing independent control is accomplished without in any way disturbing the set-up handles, or levers actuated thereby, or the setting of the pivots of these levers.

tion, the knob 5 is moved inwardly and locked in its inner position which shifts the plate 23 back to the position of Fig. 1, throwing the independent tail piece 26 out of effective action and the set-up tail pieces 2| and 22 into action for the resumption of scene productions.

Fig. 11 shows'a front view of an assembled board formed by the stacking of a number of the panels already described side by side, thereby securing the control of a number of individual circuits. Any desired number of these panels may beassembled depending upon the number of circuits to be controlled;v The front edge of the set-up disks z areshown in the upper part of Fig. 11, there being [an upper rowmade up of seven set-up disks of the seven panels for seven individual circuits, qThese seven panels forming the board are'designated at the top of- Fig. 11 as tion as shown in Fig. 1,.then for thenext scene the slider affecting the lower end of the contact already explained, is accomplished by actuating the proper shaft and cam for making the selected Any number of set-up handles and associated parts may be used in addition to the three handles shown which would, of course,

permit a greater number of set-ups'for future scenes where the character of the installation required such additional set-ups for facilitating the operation. I i a The independent adjustment of the resistive unit is accomplished by the handle 4a; and this is arranged to be utilized without disturbing the set-up handles from their positions as adjusted for a required performance. The disk 4 is provided with an; eccentric or cam 21, follower 2 8 and: push bar 29, the same as the set-up handles. The inner end ofits barv 29 is pivotally connected to alever ill-having side plates 321? similar to the ther levers; thes l es s i a mbra a fixed. pivot p a e 1 s pport d y the l k 35- tion, as shown inFig; 2, the tailpieces 2| and 22 are shiftedout of the path of the ends of the levers actuated by the set-up handles so as to render them ineffective in adjusting the transfer bar. This shifting also brings the tail piece 25 and its pin 25a opposite the extension 40a of the plate 40'. The resistive unit can now be adiusted inden nde t r y the handle 4a to any position desired for control of the lighting cir 1 reference to Fig.- 1.

panels Pl to P1. Thehandles of the upper row of set-ups are designated by the character 3a. corresponding with the designations used with The next row of set-ups similarly have their handles designated with the character 3?); and the third row of set-upshave their handles designated by thecharacter 30.

In order to prepare for the production ofa series of scenes of different lighting effects, as

by the control of circuits having different colored lamps and for securing different-degrees of lighting by thediiferent circuits appropriately selected for the different scenes, the set-up handles are-adjusted to conform with the desired scenic effects. For example, referring to Fig. 11, the upper row of set-upsis shown with their handles 3a in different relative positions, those of panels Pl, P2 beingdown for no illumination by their circuits, those of panels P3, P4, P5 and P1 being at half-bright positions, while the handle of panel P6 is in its upper position forenablin'g full illumination by its circuit. These positions determine the'lighting elfect for the first scene. Forthe next scene, the second row of set-up handles 3b is adjusted and it is assumed for this scene that the circuits of panels Pl, P2, P4, P6 and P1 are to give a half-bright condition while the circuits of panels P3 and P5 are to give full illumination. For the third scene the third row of handles 30 is set-upfor the results desired in the third scene and for this purpose set-.-

up handle 3c of panel PI is adjusted for halfbright, set-up handles 30 of panels P2, P4 and P5 are adjusted for full illumination, handle 30 I adjusted for securing the lighting effects desired in three sequential scenes. If additional panels were added to the board of Fig. 11 for additional lighting circuits, the set-up handles thereof would be adjusted in the manner already de-' scribed for the lighting effects to be produced by such additional circuits in the different'scenes.

In assembling the panels forming the complete board, the shafts 31 to 31c which render the pivots of the levers effective or ineffective are extended back of eachpanel and form com When it is'desired to. revert to the operation a of the apparatus'for the scheduled scene produc- I mon shafts which enable or disable the respective pivots of the levers. Thus the cam shafts 31 to 3'Ie shown in Figs. 1 and 6 are extended back of the panels to form common shafts for the respective enabling or disabling of the pivot plates 33 to 33c of each panel. These shafts are shown in Fig. 11 extended out through the left side of the control board and have crank handles 42 fixed to their ends so that the shafts may be individually turned as desired. The transfer shaft 6 likewise extends along the board below the plates I of the panels and forms a common shaft for simultaneously turning the cams 6a of all of the panels. This shaft 6 is shown at the left in Fig. 11 provided with a crank handle 43. Each panel with the parts carried thereby is individually attached to a suitable supporting frame so as to be separately removable therefrom for inspection and repair; and the through shafts do not pass through the panel plates thereby per- Initting individual removal of the plates. The through shafts are suitably supported by the frame.

The set-up handles having been set up for the three sequential scenes, it may be assumed that all of the handles 42 have been turned to a position where all of the pivots of the levers are disabled. For producing scene I the handle of shaft 31 is turned for rendering the pivot plate 33 effective, this position being shown in Fig. 1. This action results in adjusting all of the sliders I8 of all of the panels to a position corresponding to the setting of the upper row of set-up handles of the control board in the manner already eX- plained. This results in the resistive units of each of the panels being adjusted to give the lighting effect by the various circuits as predetermined by the upper row of set-up handles, it being assumed that the slidable plates I2 of each panel is held in its upper position by the cams 6a of the transfer shaft 6. In preparation for passing to scene 2, the shaft 310 is turned by its handle to cause the pivot plates 330 of all the panels to become effective. This causes the levers controlled by the second row of set-up handles to adjust the position of the slider I9 of each panel to correspond with the setting of the second row of set-up handles. When the time arrives to change from scene I to scene 2. the transfer shaft 6 is turned counterclockwise by the crank handle 43. shown in Fig. 11, which causes the resistive units of all the panels to be transferred from the position shown in Fig. l to a position where the heads I3a are opposite the heads l9a of the sliders I9. This transfer of the units by the shaft from one position to the other may be done gradually and slowly with the result that the individual control circuits are changed from theirconditions as determined by the upper row of set-up handles to a condition as determined by the adjustment of the handles of the second row of set-ups. Furthermore the sliding of the resistive units from the position shown in Fig. 1 to their lowest position results in an initiation of the control of all affected circuits at the same time and a gradual change throughout the transfer from their initial condition of scene I to their condition of scene 2, at which all circuits arrive at the same time. This in general merges the relative lighting effect of the circuits of scene I gradually into the relative lighting effects of scene 2. Reference to Fig. 11 shows the effects on the different circuits in passing from scene I to scene 2. The circuit of panel Pl in scene I was at black-out in shifting from scene I to scene 2.

and in scene 2 that circuit was half-bright; therefore this circuit gradually changes from a condition of no illumination to a half-brightcondition The same change occurred in the circuit of panel P2. The change in panel P3 was gradual from half-bright to full-bright. As to panel P4 the circuit was set-up for half-bright in both scene I and scene 7 2 and therefore the transfer caused no change in this circuit from the first scene to the next. The change by panel P5 was from half-bright to full illumination. The change by panel P6 was from full illumination to half-bright, while that of panel P1 was unchanged.

As soon as the transfer shaft handle has been shifted to the position for scene 2, the shaft 31 is turned to a position so as to render all of the pivots 33 ineffective. This permits the upper'row of set-up handles to be adjusted again, if desired, for scene 4. As the disabling of the pivots 33 released the lower ends of the levers 32 from the sliders I8 of all the panels, the shaft 31d may now be turned to render the pivot plates 33d effective. As these plates actuate the pivots of the set-up levers 39, the lower ends of such levers are caused to engage the pins 2Ia and adjust the sliders I8 of each panel according to the requirements predetermined by the setting of the third row of set-up handles. The apparatus is now in a condition to change from the existing scene 2 to scene 3; and when the time arrives for such change, the transfer shaft 6 is turned in a clockwise direction and moves all of the resistive units from their lowest position gradually to their upper position shown in Fig. 1. The transition from scene 2 to scene 3 as thus accomplished, gives the gradual control of all the circuits from the condition of scene 2 to the condition of scene 3 in the same manner described with reference to the merging from scence I to scene 2. The shaft 310 may now be turned to disable the pivots 330 which permits the second row of set-up handles to be reset for another scene. It should be noted that the transfer does not prevent the movement of the set-ups, and such movement during transfer results in a new position of the resistor controller as modified by the transfer action.

Assuming now that the upper row of set-up handles have in the meantime been reset for the fourth scene, the shaft 310. is turned to render the pivots 33a. effective which readjusts the sliders I8 of all the panels in accordance with the new setting of the first row of set-up handles for scene 4. When it is time to shift from scene 3 to scene 4, the transfer shaft 6 is turned counter-clockwise to move the control units gradually from the position shown in Fig. 1 to their lowest position which results in a gradual change from the lighting effects of scene 3 to the lighting effects of scene 4 in the manner already described.

It will thus be understood that any desired lighting effects may be secured by first adjust ing the set-up handles, then enabling and disabling the pivots of the levers in proper sequence and then turningthe transfer shaft from one extreme position to the other giving a gradual and corresponding merging of all the affected circuits from their initial condition of one scene to that of the next scene. Any desired number of rows of additional set-ups may be added where it is desirable to have them in order to setup for a sufficient number of scenes to avoid d lay in the preparation of the set-ups when it is .row'of set-ups.

may be obtained from any selected scene to any desired to pass from one scene to the next; It will beflunderstood that instead of passing'from one scene to the next from the top row of setl ps. down and then to the top row again, the changeof scenes may be accomplished by passing from any existing scene controlled by one row of set-ups to another scene controlled by any other row of set-ups. Thus if the scene is on the upper row of set-ups and secured by control of the sliders I8, the change may be made to the condition controlled by the third row of set-ups by turning the shaft 37a and thereby render the pivotssiie effective in controlling the setting of the sliders I9. When the resistive units are shifted by the transfer shaft from the position shown in Fig. 1 to their lowest position, the

scene will be gradually changed from that obtained by the setting of the upper row of setups to that obtained by the setting of the third It is thus obvious that passage otherv selected scene by operation of the proper shaft affecting the pivots of the next desired scene. In making the change from any one scene to the next, it will be appreciated that if the existing scene is'accomplished by one set of sliders, say I8, then in passing to the next scene, a sh ft of the pivot points must be selected which will cause sliders I9 to be adjusted for the desired next scene; and conversely if an existing scene is controlled by the sliders I9, then in passi o the next scene a shaft of the pivot points which will adjust the sliders I8 must be selected.

Another mode of operation of this apparatus is the obtaining of what may be termed pileon which may be desirable for securing certain lighting effects. For example, assume the condition shown in Fig. 1 with the lighting effects determined by the setting of the upper row of set-ups of Fig. 11. The pivots 33 are then effective in adjusting the sliders I8 for obtaining the desired conditions. If now another set of pivots be made effective which will affect the sliders I8 the. set-up which would result in the most advanced position of the sliders I8 will determine the result. This is called the predominate setting; and the respective circuits will be affected according to which of the set-ups predominate. For example, assume that the setups are adjusted as explained with reference to Fig. 11; and that the scene determined by the upper row of set-ups is the existing scene. Now assume that pivots 33b are made effective by turning the shaft3lb, while the transfer shaft is unchanged in position. The result will be that the predominating set-up of the two upper rows of set-ups will determine the effect on the respectivecircuits. That is, the control of the circuits of panels P4, P6 and P! will not be affected by the enabling action of the shaft 31?) because in each case the set-up in the upper row predominates or is equal to that of the second row. However, the circuits of panels PI and P2 will be brought from no illumination to half-bright, while those of P3 and P5 will be changed from half-bright to full-bright, as the set-ups of the second row predominate.

A further result may be accomplished by the disabling of the pivot 33 controlling the levers of the upper row of set-ups. Under these conditions the withdrawal of the lower ends of the levers 32 from actuation of the sliders I8 permits the levers 38, as influenced by the second row of.set-ups, to become fully effective. Thus the condition of the circuits as determined by the second row of set-ups is derived from the com.- bination determined by the two upper rows of set-ups by withdrawing the influence of the upper row of set-ups. In the same way, when the resistive units are at their lower position various combined effects and changes may be obtained by making effective or inefiective the levers which influence the sliders I9, as determined by the setting of the respective set-ups. It is therefore apparent that, aside from the control obtained by the operation of the transfer bar, ad,

ditional controls may be obtained, depending upon the setting of the set-ups and the selection of the pivot points which are made effective and that a graduated transition from one condition to another may be made by slowly turning the shafts which affect the respective pivot points.

The means for obtaining separate independent control of any circuit of any panel without disturbing the previoussetting of the set-ups has already been described. The knobs 5 for changing ,to the independent control, one .for each panel, are shown in Fig. 11.

Master operation of the various individual circuit controllers will now be described. This is additional to that already'described and is desirable in certain scenes for gradually dimming the lighting of the existing scene from the initial condition of each affected circuit to a final condition of no illumination, or to any intermediate condition of lighting. The gradual brightening of the lamps of the active circuits maythen be accomplished by reversing the movement of the master and in these changes of illumination, the relative intensities of the lamps of the active circuits will be maintained. Provision is also made for enabling and disabling the control of any circuit by any selected master, as well as cross control, pile-on control and other desirable manipulations.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, there are shown six shafts 44 to Me which are the master shafts. They extend back of the individual panels and permit the panels to be individually removed without disturbing these shafts which are suitably journaled in the main frame. Each .of the master shafts have fixed thereto-a series of cams which are the master cams, there being one cam on each shaft for each of the panels comprising the complete board or section of; a complete board, where the board is made up of a number of sections. The cams on the shafts for the panel shown in Figs. 1 and 6- are designated 45. to 45a. The upper master cam 45 is shown engaging a lever 46 which is pivoted at 41; and the front end of the lever is turned downwardly and has a projection 48 extending inwardly towards plate I so as to engage the side of the push rod 29, as shown in Fig. 6. The lever 46 is pivotally mounted at 4'! upon one end of another lever 49 which in turn is pivotally mounted at its elbow 50. This is a fixed pivot on a supporting bracket 5i which is fixed to the plate I and extends from near the top of the plate to about its middle portion. The upper end of the lever 49 is pivotally connected to a push rod 52 which extends forwardly through the front portion ICL of the panel and is provided with a knob 53 at its front end. The underside of the rod 52 is notched to engage the portion Ia of the panel in its inner and outer positions. When rod 52 is locked in its inner positions, as shown in Fig. 1, the pivot 47 is fixed. Under this condition turning of the master shaft 44 and its cam 45 counter-clockwise will turn lever 46 on its pivot and cause the extension 48 of the ence to Fig. 1. has pushed its rod 29 to cause the resistive unit lever to force the push rod 29 downwardly against the tension of spring 3|. However, when the push rod 52 is locked in its outer position, the pivot 4'! is raised by the lever 49 causing the rear end of the lever 46 to move up and away from the path of the cam 45. The turning of the master shaft then has no effect upon the lever 46 or upon the movement of the push rod 29. It is by this means that the master is enabled or disabled in its effect upon movement of the rod 29.

Similar parts 46a to 53a corresponding to those just described are provided also to actuate the upper push rod 29 by the master shaft 44a. and cam 45a. The lever 46a is shorter than the lever 46 and the cam 45a. is proportioned to actuate the push rod 29 the same amount as by the cam 45. Similarly a pair of levers 45b and 460 are provided to actuate the push rod 29 that is affected by set-up handle 3b, the parts being proportioned to actuate this rod 29 the same amount as the upper rod 29 is actuated by its levers. Similar parts are designated 44b to 530 which correspond to those already described and operate in the same way. Likewise a pair of levers 46d and We are provided to actuate the push rod 29 that is affected by the set-up handle 30; and parts corresponding to the upper set previously described are designated 44d to 53c.

When any one of the master shafts is turned counter-clockwise its cams will actuate the levers of the different panels and cause the push rods 29 of the different panels to be moved from. the position shown in Fig. 1 about their pivots 29a and the front end of the push rods will travel down the back surface of the cam followers 28 to positions opposite the pivots of the followers 23, provided the knobs 53 are in positions to enable the masters. This has the effect of changing the control of the circuits of the different panels from their existing condition to a condition of no illumination when the proper master shaft is operated, or to a partial dimming if the master is turned only a portion of its full movement. And this dimming commences at the same time in all the affected circuits from their initial condition and continues simultaneously to the condition of no illumination for all of the affected circuits at the end of full movement of the master shaft. It follows that the relative intensities of illumination of the affected circuits is maintained approximately during the dimming by the masters. When the master shafts are turned in the reverse direction the illumination by the circuits is brought gradually to their initial condition because the springs 3| cause the rods 29 to be maintained in contact with the ends of the master levers as they are withdrawn.

Specific examples may be considered by refer- Here the handle 3a is down and to assume the resistance-all-in position to cause no illumination. When the master shaft 44 is turned counter-clockwise and is properly enabled, the projection 48 moves the push rod 29 about its pivot 29a to a position opposite the pivot 28a of the follower. As the back edge of the follower 28 is vertical and the pivot 29a is opposite the middle of the follower 28, there is no appreciable movement of the rod 29 endwise, which results in no change of adjustment of the circuit which remains at a condition of no illumination. The same results would occur if the master shaft 44a were turned. Now consider the circuit as affected by the handle 3b. This is at the halfbright position and if the scene of this set-up were on, then the turning of master shaft 441) or 440 would move the front end of the rod 29 of this set-up from the position shown to a position opposite the pivot28a. In this movement the rod 29 is gradually forced rearwardly and turns the lever 38;; slidably on its pivot plate 330 and adjusts the resistive unit from a half-bright position to a position of no illumination. A similar change would occur for the set-up of the handle 30 upon turning either of the master shafts 44d or Me, provided that scene was on, as

the handle 30 is shown sition.

Reference to Fig. 11 will show the specific change in the lighting effects which takes place set at the half-bright powhen the masters are operated in any selected scene. Assume that the aforementioned scene I is on the upper row of set-ups, with the circuits of panels PI and P2 giving no illumination, those master shaft will bring them back gradually and simultaneously to their initial condition. Obviously the master shaft may be turned only sufficiently to bring the circuits toany intermediate condition of partial illumination in either direction. In case any other scene is on, the turning of the proper master shaft will similarly affect the existing scene, the scene of the second row of setups being subject to either master shaft 44b or 440, and the scene of the third row of set-ups being subject to either master shaft 4411 or Me.

In some cases. in the use of the masters, it-is desired to dim the lights of certain of the circuits while permitting others to remain unchanged at their existing condition in a scene. The circuit of any panel may be removed from the influence of any'master by means of the enabling and disabling rods and knobs 53 to 53c already described. For example, in scene I on the upper row of setups, assume it is desired to keep the circuit of panel P6 at full-bright while the master is affecting all the other circuits of the remaining panels; then by pulling out the disabling rod 52 of panel P8 and locking it in its outer position, the circuit of that panel will not be affected-by the master shaft 44. If it is the master shaft 44a which is to be operated, then the rod 52a is placed in disabling position. In this Way any selected circuit or circuits may be relieved from the influence of any master in any selected scene at any time.

By the use of two master shafts, such as 44 and 44a for each set-up, additional changes may be obtained. For example, assume the parts in the position shown in Fig. ,1 and that certain of the rods 52 of some of the panels are moved to enabling position while the others remain in disabling position, then the turning of shaft 44 will, as already explained, cause the dimming of the lights of the affected circuits. Now assume that the rods 52a corresponding to the rods 52. in enabling position are likewise placed in enabling position and that certain additional rods 52a are also placed in enabling position. Now the turning of master shaft 44a from its initial position will have no effect on the circuits whose controllers have been moved to dim portion by the master shaft 44 but will cause the additional circuits affected by master shafts 44a to be coniov trolled to dim the lights. If' now the firstoperjated inaster shaft M .be turned back from its full din'r position, no change results because the cam-swam on shaft '44'a'wil1- maintain the controners previously affected "bythe shaft 44 in theirxdim position; When-the shaft Ma is turned {back to its initi'alpos'ition, it will cause the controllers to brighten thelamps of the circuits I originally affected by the operation'of the shaft '4 as well as to"brightenjthe lamps of the addition'alcircuits whosecontrollers were affected by the shaft'' la; This methodof operation has'first -causeol-thedin'cming of the lamps of some dfthe circuits from their initial condition, then dimining'lof 'the' lampsof additional circuits-from -their =ir'iitial condition and then the brightening of the' lariips of all ofthecontrolled circuits to l t i-r'orig'inalcondition. If,'however, the master 's-aft-M had initiallybeen turned to a position ';o f" partial dimming, the result would have been --to first bring the lamps of certain circuits to rtial-dimming, then-the lamps of such circuits if additional circuits to'black-out and then ly' bring-fall of the circuits back to .their 'a'l condition' before the operation of the ter shafts.

In a similar-'m'anner; 'ablingof the levers actuated by the cams on the pair of master shafts, various lighting effects may be'bbtaine'd by'modific'at ion of an existing scene, as determined by the enabling or disabling o'ffthe levers actuated by the cams of the re- 3 jspec'tive shafts and the mode 'of operation of the two 'masterfsha'fts. The method of. control by first moving the controllersof certain circuits to fdetefrniined 'by'the enabling means and then'opgthe other master'shaftto dim the lamps h s selected circuitsas determined by the'ent mg'aieans while at :the same time the first *rnastersh'aft is returned to its initial position for "-"t-he' purpose of brightening the lamps which were o ginally-dimmed. ;'I 'hat is, by reverse movent of the master shafts' -one set of lamp circults maybe causedtodiin their lampswhile ano'tlier 'set of lamp circuits are caused to-increase the intensity of the lamps.

A further rriethod of operating the masters re- "lates to' the useof different rows of set-ups res'ultingiin scene pile-on controland cross control, as well as other accomplishments For example, 'assurne'f the parts in the position shown .in Fig. 1 "with the additional assumption that the enabling shaft 31d isturned to make the pivot plate-33d effective; This, as already explained gives? a sc'ene'which is'the combination of the results obtained by the setting of the upper row of set-ups "and 'thethird row "of set-ups. Each .of the masters ofthe upper r'ow of set-upsfand'of the third row ofset-lups may be operated in the-manner already described for control of their circuits but additional resultsmaybe obtained by the relative operation f the masterfshafts of the -upper rowof-setmps andof the shafts 'ofthe "third row of'set ups. For-examplejcross control may be obtained by operating either one ofthe upperpair of master shafts and either one of the third pair of "master shafts, turning one master shaft in one direction while the other is being turned in-the opposite direction, or both shafts "of'one pair may be turned in one direction while by the enabling and dis- 7 both shafts of the other pair are turned in the opposite direction. The results obtained will depend upon the adjustment of the set-ups .in the upper and third rows and upon which levers actuated by each cam are enabled or disabled. Like- ;wise scene pile-on may be obtained by turning oneorv both of the shafts of theupper pair tOa dimming position, then operating one or both shafts of the third pair to .a dimming position and then reversing the movement of the first .pair. The results obviously will depend upon the condition of the set-ups and which lovers are enabled or disabled. ,These and other methods of operation may be applied to anyrowor rows of set-ups and to any of the master shafts.

The master shafts are subject toa superimposed operation by a grand master; and the relationship is made such that any master shaft may be made selectively operative by the grand master. This is accomplished by providing enabling and disabling means for rendering the grand master effective or ineffective in actuating the master shafts. constructed and related that when the grand master is operated,'the master shafts affected will be moved simultaneously and gradually from their then existing positions, whether at fullbright, half-bright, or anyv other position, to full dim position, or to any other position, and there by maintain approximately the same relative relationship of the masters during the dimming process. Likewise when the grand master is reversed in its movement, the affected masters will bebrought simultaneously and gradually to their initial positions while maintaining approximately their relative relationship'during the brightening operaton. In general these results are accomplished in a manner similar to that by which the master shafts affected the circuits subjectedto their influence and as determined by the set-ups,

which has already been described.

The means for operating themaster shafts and their operation by the grand masters are shown in Figs. 9, Hand 11. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the master shafts 14 to 44c already described,

are shown journaled in a vertically extending plate 54 located at the right, portion of the main .board; Each master has an arm extending upwardly-therefrom indicated by the characters-55 to 55c. A push rod56 to 56c is pivotally connected to the end of each of these arms which extend toward the front of the board and engage, at their ends, followerst l. These parts are displaced laterallyfrom each other, as shownin Fig. 10, in order to provide room for the various parts. On the rear of the front master panel is supported a seriesofvertically extending plates 58 to 58c which are displaced sidewiseand provide means for respectively supporting the followers 51, these followers beingrespectively supported at their lower'Tends by pivots 59. The front ends of the push bars 56-to 56c are guided in slots'pro- .vided by strips 60 at the rear of each supporting plate, these strips being spaced from their respective plates to provide slots for receiving the front ends-of the push rods and which also serve as stops to limit their movement in a vertical direction. Springs 6 I tend to hold the frontends 'of the push-rodsin their upperlimiting-positions.

Moreover, the parts are so Mounted on each of the plates 58 to 58e is a cam 62 provided with an operating handle, these handles being designated by the characters 63 to 636. The handles extend through slots in the front of the master panel, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. Each of the cams 62 engages the upper end of its respective follower and whenthe master handles 63 to 63c are in their upper positions, as shown, the upper ends of the followers and the push rods are in their limiting forward positions. When any one of these handles is moved downwardly, it causes its respective cam to move its follower and push rod rearwardly and thereby turn its master shaft counterclockwise. This, as already explained, serves to actuate the parts to cause a dimming of the lights of any circuit affected by the master. The reverse movement of any master handle causes an increase in the illumination of the circuits affected by the master in the manner already explained. The master handles 63. to 636 thus afford means for individually actuating each of the master shafts.

The grand master handle 64 is pivotally mounted at the base of the master panel and a link 65 is pivotally connected to the arm of the handle and extends rearwardly through the panel and is pivotally connected at its rear end to. an arm 66 fixed to a shaft 66a which extends through to additional boards similar to the one shown. This shaft is journaled in the plate 54 and has a rearwardly extending arm 66b fixed thereto and slotted at 660. On the opposite side of the supporting plate 54 from the lever 66 and rearwardly from the plate is mounted a vertically movable rod 61 which is guided by brackets 61a extendingrearwardly from the plate 54. The lower end ofv the rod 61 carries a pin 61b which extends sidewise through a slot in the plate .54 and into the slot 66a of the lever 66. It is evident that when the master handle 64 is movedinwardly from the position shown in Fig. 9, it will turn the shaft 66a and raise the rod 61 from the position shown to its upper position. The rod 61 is provided with six sidewise extensions 68 to 68c which have upturned ends which respectively engage the rear ends of pivoted levers 69 to 69c. These levers are pivotally mounted on the rear ends of right-angle levers 16to 10c which in turn are pivotally mounted on the ends of studs H to l he which extend sidewise from the plate 54 except the stud 'Hd which extends sidewise from the end plate 12 of the board. To the upper ends of the levers T6 to me are pivotally connected push rods 13 to 736. These rods extend forwardly through the front of the master panel and are provided with knobs 14 to Me at their front ends. These push rods are adapted to be locked in their forward and rearward limiting positions by notches on their lower edges which engage the front master panel in the same way. as the previously described pushrods 52 to 52c. When the knobs 14 to 146 are in their rearward position, as shown in Fig. 9,.the levers 16 to me form fixed pivots for the levers 69 to 69c. Under this condition, the raising of the rod 61 by movement of the grand master handle will cause the extensions 68 to 68e from the rod 61 to raise the rear ends of the levers 69 to 69c. The front ends of these levers are provided with extensions 15 to le which respectively engage the upper edges orsides of the push rods 56 to 56e. Consequently, when the grand master is moved to raise the knobs 53. The moving of the grand master and' rod 61, it will cause the levers 69 to 692 to move the forward portions of the rods 56 to 56c downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 9. This downward movement causes the front ends of these rods to travel down along the backs of the followers 51 to a limiting position opposite the pivots 59. However, when the knobs 14 to Me which are the enabling and disabling knobs for the masters, are moved to their forward posi tion, the levers 16 to Hie are rotated about their fixed pivots and raise the pivot points of the levers,69 to 69c away from engagement by the extensions 68 to 68c. Under such condition, the movement of the grand master will have no efiect upon any of the masters.

The'various results obtained by the operation of the grandmaster 'and'its effect upon the individual masters may be understood by considering first-the effect uponone of the masters, such as that: operated by the handle 63. In the position shown in Fig. 9 the handle 63 .is in its upper position and consequently its master shaft .44 is in the position shown in- Fig. 1 and has not affected the scene controlled by the upper row of set-ups. If, however, the enabling knob 14 is in the position shown in Fig. 9 and the grand master handle is moved to raise therod6'l, then the push rod 56 will be moved from the position shown in Fig. 9 and as its front end travels down the back of the follower 51, the master shaft 44 will be turned gradually counter-clockwise. This, as previously explained, will cause thepush rods 29 of the upper row of set-ups tomove down the back of the followers 28 and cause the dimming of the lamps of the existing scene affected by the upper rowof set-ups, as regards the panels which are rendered effective by the enabling rod 6'! in the reverse direction will permit the push 56 to travel up the back of the follower 51 by actionof its spring 6| and thereby bring the circuits affected by the upper master to their ini tial conditions which, of course, may be fullbright or. any intermediate condition, depending upon the adjustments of the upper row of set ups, as already explained. Suppose, however, be-. fore movement of the grandmaster from the position shown in Fig. 9, the master handle 63 had been moved downward to an intermediate position,- This would have caused the push rod 56 tohave been moved rearwardly a corresponding amount and cause the partial dimming. of the circuits affected by the master shaft 44. Under this condition, the movement of the grand master to raise the shaft 61 will, as already described, move the front end. of the push. rod '56 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 9 along the back of the follower. Thisresults; in the grand master causing a dimming of the lamps affected by the master shaft 44 from the assumed intermediate condition to the condition of no illumination; and this dimming by the grand master commences whenthe front ,end of the push rod 56 is in its uppermost position and continues until it arrives opposite the pivot 59.

-The operation of the grand master will affect any of the other master shafts in the same man,- ner, the enabling and disabling rods 13 and 13a affording means for selecting which of the master shafts are to be affected by the grand master. In case two or. more master shafts are operated by the grand master, andthe master handles are in different relative positions, the operation of the grand master will always maintain the relative conditions determined'by the setting .of'the master handles during a dimmingor-during a brightening direction of'movement of the grand master. This is due to the fact that the grand master moves the front ends of the-push rods 56 to 56c over their full rangeof movement, regardless of the'particularsetting of the master handles. The grand masterand parts affected'thereby thus afford means for selective operation "of any of the master shafts in any desired combination and maintain the relationship as determined by the setting of the master handles during movement of the grand master in either direction. f

It will be understood that where additional boards similar to that described are used, the master shaft 66a. will be'extended through each of the additional boards and serve to actuate the master shafts of the'additional' boards in the same manner asdescribed withreference to the board shown; and bythe enabling and disabling means already described, any master shaftiof any of the boards maybe actuated by the grand master selectively as may be desired. 1

Although a single grand master handle has been described for actuating the push rods 56 "to Site, it is evident that another grand master handle and operating means could be applied to the push rods 56 to 56e in the same manner that a pair of master shafts and levers are 5 shown applied to the push rods 29of the set-ups, in case such additional operating means were desired for special purposes.

Although masters have been described for affecting the circuits of the different set-ups selectively, as may be desired, the means for adjusting the circuit controlling devices inde- -wise be subjected "to actuation by a master. Thus in Fig. 1, the independent handle 40. is provided with a cam and follower for moving its push rod 29 in the same way thattheset-up handles are furnished with similar means. Con sequently there may be applied, if desired, to the push rods 29 of the independenthandles the same pair of master shafts and levers with en'- abling and disabling means as areshown and varied adjustments and may be operated in many different ways for securing particular'results as-may' be desired in special instances.

"pendently by means Ofthe handles-'40. may like- Although One embodiment of the invention has been described,it is capable of being embodied in various forms of apparatus and various relationship of parts without departing from scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for controlling an adjustabledevice for affecting a'circuit, comprising a series of'more than-two set-up handles, 'a guiding element, each of said handles beingadjustable V independently of the others for selecting any desired adjustments of said element to any adjustment between limits of movement of said device, mechanical means related to said handles and said element for adjusting said element-to correspond with any selected position of each of said handles, and mechanical means for the gradually shifting said device from the adjustment determined by one of said handles to the selected adjustment determined by any one of the other of said handles.

2. Apparatus vfor controlling an adjustable device for affecting a'circuit, comprising a plurality of set-up handles, a guiding element, each of said handles being adjustable for selecting I any desired adjustments of said element to any adjustment between limits of movement of said device; mechanical-means related to said handles and said element for adjusting said element to corespond with any selected position of each of said handles, mechanical means for gradually shifting said device from the adjustment determined by one ,ofsaid handles to the selected adjustment determined by another of saidhandles, and means for selectively rendering portions of said first named mechanical means efiective or ineffective for determining the adjusted position of said element to correspond with the selected adjustment of any one of said handles.

.3. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit, comprising a plurality of set-uphandles', a guiding element each of said handles being adjustable for selecting any desired adjustments of said element to any adjustment between limitsof movement ofsaid device, mechanical means related to said handles and said element for adjusting said element-to correspond with any selected position of each of said handles, mechanical means for gradually shifting said device from the adjustment determined by one of saidhandles to the selected adjustment determined by another of said handles, and'means comprising a lever'having a 'shiftable' pivot selectively rendering portions of said first named mechanical means eifective or ineffective fordeterminingthe adjusted position of said one of the other of saidhandles for obtaining a gradual adjustment of said device fromits first position to its'second position.

5. Apparatus forcontrolling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit, comprising a plu :rality of set-up handles for determining desired adjustments of said device, a mechanic-a1 guide adjustable atdifferent portions thereof,

mechanio'al means between said handles and said guide .for adjusting'different portions of said guide according to the position of said handles, adjustable means affecting said .mechanical means for selectively rendering same effective or. ineffective in adjusting diiferent portions of said guide, and means for shifting said device one positionto another.

6. Apparatus for controlling" an adjustable d i and means for rendering said mechanical means ineffective while preserving the set-upof said handles and for enabling'said independent ad-' justment of said devices and for also rendering vice for affecting a circuit, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for determining desired sequential adjustments of said device, mechanical means related to said handles and said device for gradually adjusting said device from a condition determined by one of said handles to a condition determined by another of said handles, and means for rendering said mechanical means ineffective while preserving the set-up of said handles and for enabling independent adjustment of said device.

'7. Apparatus for controlling an adjustable device for affecting a circuit, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for determining desired sequential adjustments of said device, mechanical means related to said handles and said device for gradually adjusting said device from a condition determined by one of said handles to a condition determined by another of said handles, means for independently adjusting said device, and means for rendering said mechanical means ineffective While preserving the set-up of said handles and for enabling said independent adjustment of said device and for also rendering said independent adjusting means ineffective While rendering said mechanical means effective for adjustment of said device.

8. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuit respectively, comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to said handles and their respective devices for gradually adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of their respective handles to a condition determined by any other of their respective handles, and a single element for actuating said means.

9. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, and mechanical means related to said handles and their respective devices for gradually and simultaneously adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of their respective handles to a condition determined by any other of their respective handles.

10. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to said handles and their respective devices for gradually and simultaneously adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of their respective handles to a condition determined by other of their respective handles, and means for selectively rendering portions of said mechanical means effective or ineffective for determining the adjusted positions of said devices to correspond with the positions of their respective selected handles.

11. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their said circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to said handles and their respective devices for gradually adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of their respective handles to a condition determined by other of their respective handles, means for independently adjusting each of said devices,

said independent adjusting means ineffective while rendering said mechanical means effec-' tive for adjustment of said devices.

12. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, a mechanical guide related to each of said devices respectively adjusted at different portions thereof by movement of said handles, and

means for simultaneously shifting said devicesalong their respective guides from their positioncorresponding to the adjusted portions by certain of said respective handles to a position corresponding to other adjusted portions by any other of said respective handles for obtaining gradual adjustment of said devices from one position to the other. I

13. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, a mechanical guide related to each of said devices re- 'spectively adjusted at different portionsthereof by movement of said handles, means for simultaneously shifting said devices along their respective guides from their position corresponding to the adjusted portions by certain of said respective handles to a position corresponding to other adjusted portions by other of said respective handles for obtaining gradual adjustment of said devices from one position to the other, and means for selectively rendering the adjustment of said guides by said handles effective or ineffective for determining the adjusted position of each of said devices to correspond with the positions of selected handles of each of said devices.

14. Apparatus for controlling ,a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively, a handle for independent adjustment of each of said devices respectively, a mechanical guide relates to each of said devices respectively adjusted at different portions thereof by movement of said set-up handles, means for simultaneously shifting said devices along their respective guides from their position corresponding to the adjusted portions by certain of said respective set-up handles to a position corresponding to other adjusted portions by other of said respective setup handles for obtaining gradual adjustment of said devices from one position to the other, and means for disabling the adjustment by movement of said set-up handles While preserving the set-up of said set-up handles and for enabling the adjustment of each of said devices by said handles for independent adjustment.

15. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising an adjustable handle for each of said devices respectively, intermediate mechanical means related to each of said handles and each of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, and master means operatively related to intermediate por-v tions of said intermediate mechanical means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various: positions as determined by adjustment of saidi'handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said handles.

16. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling. devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising'an adjustablehandle for each of said devices respectively, intermediate mechanical means related: to each of said handles and" each-of'said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, and master means operatively related to intermediate portions' of said intermediate mechanical means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said devices from. their variouspositionsas determined" by adjustment of said handles to different clesired positions independently of movement of said handles.

17. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively; comprising an adjustable handle for each of said devices respectively, intermediate mechanical means related to each of said handles and each'of said devices'respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement ofsaid handles, and master means operatively' related to intermediate portions of said intermediate mechanical means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to a common uniform position independently of movement ofsaid handles. a 7

18. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respecf tively,: comprising an adjustable handle for each of' said devices respectively, intermediate mechanical means related. to each of said handles andeachofsaid devices respectively forgradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, and master means operatively related to intermediate portionsof said intermediate mechanical means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said devices from. their various positions as determinedlby adjustment of said handlesto difierent desired positions. and for. returning said devices simultaneously and proportionall'yto. their initial. positions independently of movementv of. said handles.

19'..Apparatus. for controlling a plurality of.

separately, adjustablecircuit controlling devices for individually aiiecting their circuits respectively,..comprising. an adjustable handle for each of said devices respectively, intermediate mechanical meansrelated. to each of said handles p and each of said. devices respectively for grad-v separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting: their circuits--respec-- tively, comprising an adjustable handle'for each. of said devices respectively, intermediate me'-- chanical means related to each of said handles 1 and each of said devices respectively for grad-- ually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, master means operatively related to intermediate per-- tions of said intermediate mechanical means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by said master means.

21. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices:

for indivdually aiiecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of' each of said" devices respectively, mechanical means relate'd to each of said plurality of set-up handles and their respective devices for gradually and simultaneously adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of said set-up handles to a condition determined by other of said set-up handles, and master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said set-up-handles in each of said conditions to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles.

22. Apparatus for'controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said plurality of set-up handles and their respective devices for gradually and simultaneously adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of said set-up handles to a condition determined by other of said setup handles, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said set-up handles in each of said conditions to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by said master means. 7

23. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively, a handle for independent adjustment of each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles.

24. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively, a handle for independent adjustment of each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said set-up handles and each of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices from a condition determined by certain of said set-up handles to a condition determined by other of said set-up handles, means for disabling said mechanicalv means while preserving the set-up of said set-up handles and for enabling the adjustment of said devices by said handles for independent adjustment respectively, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by said set-up handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by said master means.

25. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising an adjustable handle for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said handles and each of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, additional independently operable master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by each of said master means.

26. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said plurality of set-1m handles and their respective devices for gradually and simultaneously adjusting said devices from a condition determined by certain of said set-up handles to a condition determined by other of said set-up handles, mast r means for simultaneously moving said devices from their vari us positions as determined by adjustment of said s t-up handles in each of said. conditions to different d sired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, additional independently operable master means for simultaneously movine said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said set-up handles in each of said conditions to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by each of said master means.

'27. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually aifecting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively, a handle for independent adjustment of each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said set-up handles and each of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices from a condition determined by certain of said set-up handles to a condition determined by other of said set-up handles, means for disabling said mechanical means While preserving the set-up of said set-up handles and for enabling the adjustment of said devices by said handles for independent adjustment respectively, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by said set-up handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, additional independently operable master means for simultaneously moving said devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said set-up handles in each of said conditions to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-' up handles, and means for selectively disabling said devices from movement by each of said master means.

28. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually afiecting their circuits respectively, comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively in successive series of combinations, a guiding element for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means for each of said series respectively for adjusting said elements in accordance with the adjustments of said set-up handles in the different series, and means for simultaneously transferring the adjustments of said devices from one of said series of combinations to any other of said series of combinations.

29. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively. comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively in successive series of combinations, a guiding element for each of said devices respectively mechanical means for each of said series respectively for adjusting said elements in accordance with the adjustments of said set-up handles in the different series. and means for simultaneously and proportionally transferring the adjustments of said devices from one of said series of combinations to any other of said series of combinations.

30. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually afiecting their circuits respectively, comprising a series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively in successive series of combinations, a guiding element for each of said devices respectively mechanical means for each of said series respecwith the 'adjustment's'of said set-up handlesiiri the difi'erent series, ,m'eans for simultaneously transferring the adjustments-of said devices from one of said series of combinations to any other of said series of combinations, and master means for simultaneously moving said devices from each of their positions in said different series to'different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles. 1 1' 31; Apparatus'for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuits respectively, comprising a' series of more than two set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining'des'ired sequential adjust'-' ments" of each' of said devices respectively in successive series of combinations; a guiding ele ment for ea'ch of said devices respectively mechanical means for each of said 's'eriesrespec tively for adjustingsaid elements in accordance with the adjustmentsof said 'set up handles in the different series, means for simultaneously transferring the adjustments of said devices from one of said'series of, combinations to any other of said series of combinationaarid master means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said devices from each of their positions in said diiTerent series'to different desired positions in dependently of movement of said set-up'handl'es.

32. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for 'individually afie'cting their circuits respectively, comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determin ing desired-sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively in successive series of combinations, a guiding elementior eachof said-devices respectively mechanical means ,for eachof said series respectivelywfor adjusting said elements in accordance with theadjustments of said set-up handles in-the different series, means for simultaneouslytransferring the adjustments "of said devices from one of said series of combinations toanother of said seriesof combinations, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from each of their'positions in said different" series to difierent desired positions independently of movement of'said-set-up handles, and means for selectively disabling any of said devices from movement by said master means in any of said series of combinations. I l 33.--Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually afiecting their circuits respectively; comprising a plurality of set-up handles for each of said devices respectively for determining desired sequential adjustments of each of said devices respectively insuccessive series of combinations,- a guiding element for each of said devices respectively mechanical means for each 'of said series respectively for adjusting said elemerits in accordance with the adjustments of said set-up handles in the different series, means for simultaneously transferring the adjustments of said devices from one of said series of combinations to another of said series of combinations, master means for simultaneously moving said devices from each of their positions in said different series to different desired positions independently of movement of saidset-up handles, additional master meansfor simultaneously moving said devices from each of their positions in said diiferent series to "different desired positions independently of movement of' saidset-up han dles, and means for selectively disabling anyoi said devices from movement by either of said master means'in any of said series of combinations' r 1 34. Apparatus for controlling 'a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices for individually affecting their circuitsi respe'c tively, comprising an adjustable handle for each of said devices respectively, mechanical means related to each of said handles and each of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles, master'means for simultaneously moving certain of said devices from their vari ,ous positions asdetermine'd by adjustment of said handles to different desired positions'independ ently of movement of said set-up handles,-addi-' tional independently operable master means for simultaneously moving certain of said devices from their various positions as determinedby adjustment of said handles to different desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, and grandmaster means'for simultaneously moving said master means.

35. Apparatus for controlling a plurality of separately adjustable circuit controlling devices forrindividually affecting their ci'rcuits respec tively, comprising anadjustable handle for each of saiddevices' respectively, mechanical means related to each of said handles and each 'of said devices respectively for gradually and individually adjusting the respective devices upon movement of said handles; master means for simultaneously" and proportionally moving certain-of said devices from theirvarious positions as deter-'- mined by adjustment of said handlesto-difierent desired positions independently of movement of said set-up handles, additional independently operable master means for simultaneously and proportionally movingcertain of said-devices from their various positions as determined by adjustment of said handles to difierentdesired positions independently a of \movemenir of said set-up .handles and grand master .means for simultaneously and proportionally moving said master means. i Y

36.--.Apparatus for controllinga pluralitymi separately adjustable circuit. controlling. devices for individually affecting-their circuits crespectively, comprising anadjustable handle ior. each of said devices respectively, mechanicalmeans related to each of said handles and each .of-said devices respectively for gradually and individuallyadjusting the respectivedevices upon. move-v ment of .said handles, master means for simul: taneonsly moving certain of said ldevicesvfrom their various positions as determined by vadjust ment of said handles to different desired ppsi tions independently of movement of said set-up means, and means for selectively disabling said master meansfroin movement by said -grand master means.

FRANK e. LOGAN; i i 

